Dr Ralf Dietzgen
Dr

Ralf Dietzgen

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Phone: 
+61 7 334 66503

Background

Plant viruses and horticultural crop improvement

Dr Dietzgen is internationally recognised for his work on plant virus characterisation, detection and engineered resistance. Before joining UQ, Dr Dietzgen was a Science Leader in Agri-Science in the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. He previously held research positions at the University of Adelaide, University of California, Cornell University and University of Kentucky. Dr Dietzgen’s research interests are in molecular virus-plant-insect interactions, virus biodiversity and evolution, and disease resistance mechanisms. His focus is on the biology of RNA viruses in the family Rhabdoviridae and the molecular protein interactions of plant-adapted rhabdoviruses and tospoviruses. He has published extensively on plant virus characterisation and genetic variability, RNAi- mediated virus resistance and diagnostic technologies with 20 review articles and book chapters and over 65 peer-reviewed publications.

Availability

Dr Ralf Dietzgen is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Bioinformatics and computational biology Biological Sciences Crop and pasture production Gene expression (incl. microarray and other genome-wide approaches) Genetics Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds) Horticultural production Microbiology Molecular evolution Phylogeny and comparative analysis Proteomics and intermolecular interactions (excl. medical proteomics) Virology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Eberhard-Karls- Universitat, Tubingen

Research interests

  • Pest and disease management and control

    Study of molecular plant-virus-insect interactions to identify novel targets for plant disease & pest control. Main focus on negative strand RNA virus (rhabdovirus, tospovirus) characterization, biodiversity, taxonomy and interactions with their hosts and insect vectors. Host-delivered RNA silencing for disease resistance against pests and diseases. Application of next generation sequencing technologies for virus characterization and diagnostics.

Search Professor Ralf Dietzgen’s works on UQ eSpace

229 works between 1982 and 2024
All (229) Journal Article (178) Book Chapter (9) Conference Publication (40) Other Outputs (2)

161 - 180 of 229 works

2006

Journal Article

Transgenic gene silencing strategies for virus control

DietzgenRG and Mitter, N. (2006). Transgenic gene silencing strategies for virus control. Australasian Plant Pathology, 35 (6), 605-618. doi: 10.1071/AP06064

Transgenic gene silencing strategies for virus control

2006

Conference Publication

Norathyriol, the active metabolite of mangiferin, modulates PPAR activity and is a potential nutritional bioactive

Wilkinson, A. S., Lin, C. N., Dietzgen, R. G., Monteith, G. R., Shaw, P. N., Roberts-Thomson, S. J. and Gidley, M. (2006). Norathyriol, the active metabolite of mangiferin, modulates PPAR activity and is a potential nutritional bioactive. Annual Conference of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association, Adelaide Hilton, Adelaide, South Australia, 3-5 December, 2006. Malvern,Vic, Australia: Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association.

Norathyriol, the active metabolite of mangiferin, modulates PPAR activity and is a potential nutritional bioactive

2005

Journal Article

Nucleocapsid gene variability reveals two subgroups of Lettuce necrotic yellows virus

Callaghan, B. and Dietzgen, R. G. (2005). Nucleocapsid gene variability reveals two subgroups of Lettuce necrotic yellows virus. Archives of Virology, 150 (8), 1661-1667. doi: 10.1007/s00705-005-0528-7

Nucleocapsid gene variability reveals two subgroups of Lettuce necrotic yellows virus

2005

Journal Article

Genetic variability of Tomato spotted wilt virus in Australia and validation of real time RT-PCR for its detection in single and bulked leaf samples

Dietzgen, RG, Twin, J, Talty, J, Selladurai, S, Carroll, ML, Coutts, BA, Berryman, DI and Jones, RAC (2005). Genetic variability of Tomato spotted wilt virus in Australia and validation of real time RT-PCR for its detection in single and bulked leaf samples. Annals of Applied Biology, 146 (4), 517-530. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-7348.2005.040155.x

Genetic variability of Tomato spotted wilt virus in Australia and validation of real time RT-PCR for its detection in single and bulked leaf samples

2004

Journal Article

Peanut stripe potyvirus resistance in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants carrying viral coat protein gene sequences

Higgins, C. M., Hall, R. M., Mitter, N., Cruickshank, A. and Dietzgen, R. G. (2004). Peanut stripe potyvirus resistance in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants carrying viral coat protein gene sequences. Transgenic Research, 13 (1), 59-67. doi: 10.1023/B:TRAG.0000017166.29458.74

Peanut stripe potyvirus resistance in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants carrying viral coat protein gene sequences

2004

Journal Article

Host range, symptom expression and RNA 3 sequence analyses of six Australian strains of Cucumber mosaic virus

Sulistyowati, Emy, Mitter, Neena, Bastiaan-Net, Shanna, Roossinck, Marilyn J. and Dietzgen, Ralf G. (2004). Host range, symptom expression and RNA 3 sequence analyses of six Australian strains of Cucumber mosaic virus. Australasian Plant Pathology, 33 (4), 505-512. doi: 10.1071/AP04054

Host range, symptom expression and RNA 3 sequence analyses of six Australian strains of Cucumber mosaic virus

2003

Journal Article

Cucumber mosaic virus infection transiently breaks dsRNA-Induced Transgenic immunity to Potato virus Y in tobacco

Mitter, N., Sulistyowati, E. and Dietzgen, R. G. (2003). Cucumber mosaic virus infection transiently breaks dsRNA-Induced Transgenic immunity to Potato virus Y in tobacco. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 16 (10), 936-944. doi: 10.1094/MPMI.2003.16.10.936

Cucumber mosaic virus infection transiently breaks dsRNA-Induced Transgenic immunity to Potato virus Y in tobacco

2003

Conference Publication

Tomato expression modulating sequences enhance double strand RNA-mediated resistance to potato virus Y in transgenic tobacco

Brosnan, C. A., Mitter, N., Reyes, M., Constantin, M., Graham, M., Dietzgen, R.G. and Carroll, B. J. (2003). Tomato expression modulating sequences enhance double strand RNA-mediated resistance to potato virus Y in transgenic tobacco. 24th Annual Conference on the Organisation and Expression of the Genome, Lorne, Victoria, Australia, 16-20 February, 2003.

Tomato expression modulating sequences enhance double strand RNA-mediated resistance to potato virus Y in transgenic tobacco

2002

Other Outputs

Plant and viral promoters PMP Schenk, L Sagi, S Remy, RL Swennen, RG Dietzgen, ADW Geering, LA McMichael, JE Thomas, CPL Grof, AR Elliott. CSIRO, 2002. United States Patent US 6,391,639 B1.

Schenk, P. M. P., Sagi, L., Remy, S., Swennen, R. L., Dietzgen, R. G., Geering, A. D. W., McMichael, L. A. , Thomas, J. E. , Grof, C. P. L. and Elliott, A. R. (2002). Plant and viral promoters PMP Schenk, L Sagi, S Remy, RL Swennen, RG Dietzgen, ADW Geering, LA McMichael, JE Thomas, CPL Grof, AR Elliott. CSIRO, 2002. United States Patent US 6,391,639 B1.. US Patent 6,391,639 B1.

Plant and viral promoters PMP Schenk, L Sagi, S Remy, RL Swennen, RG Dietzgen, ADW Geering, LA McMichael, JE Thomas, CPL Grof, AR Elliott. CSIRO, 2002. United States Patent US 6,391,639 B1.

2002

Journal Article

Plant virus surveys on the island of New Guinea and adjacent regions of northern Australia

Davis, RI, Thomas, JE, McMichael, LA, Dietzgen, RG, Callaghan, B, James, AP, Gunua, TG and Rahamma, S (2002). Plant virus surveys on the island of New Guinea and adjacent regions of northern Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 31 (4), 385-390. doi: 10.1071/AP02047

Plant virus surveys on the island of New Guinea and adjacent regions of northern Australia

2001

Journal Article

Differentiation of peanut seedborne potyviruses and curcumoviruses by RT-PCR

Dietzgen, R. G., Callaghan, B., Higgins, C. M., Birch, R. G., Chen, K. and Xu, Z. (2001). Differentiation of peanut seedborne potyviruses and curcumoviruses by RT-PCR. Plant Disease, 85 (9), 989-992. doi: 10.1094/PDIS.2001.85.9.989

Differentiation of peanut seedborne potyviruses and curcumoviruses by RT-PCR

2001

Journal Article

Promoters for pregenomic RNA of banana streak badnavirus are active for transgene expression in monocot and dicot plants

Schenk, P. M., Remans, T., Sagi, L., Elliott, A. R., Dietzgen, R. G., Swennen, R., Ebert, P. R., Grof, C. P. L. and Manners, J. M. (2001). Promoters for pregenomic RNA of banana streak badnavirus are active for transgene expression in monocot and dicot plants. Plant Molecular Biology, 47 (3), 399-412. doi: 10.1023/A:1011680008868

Promoters for pregenomic RNA of banana streak badnavirus are active for transgene expression in monocot and dicot plants

2001

Journal Article

Differentiation of peanut seedborne potyviruses and cucumoviruses by RT-PCR

Dietzgen, R. G., Callaghan, B., Higgins, C. M., Birch, R. G., Chen, K. and Xu, Z. (2001). Differentiation of peanut seedborne potyviruses and cucumoviruses by RT-PCR. Plant Disease, 85 (9), 989-992.

Differentiation of peanut seedborne potyviruses and cucumoviruses by RT-PCR

2001

Journal Article

Banana streak virus promoters are highly active in banana and other monocot and dicot plants

Remans, T., Sagi, L., Elliott, A.R., Dietzgen, R.G., Swennen, R. L., Ebert, P. R., Grof, C. P., Manners, J. M. and Schenk, P. M. P. (2001). Banana streak virus promoters are highly active in banana and other monocot and dicot plants. Infomusa, 10, 10-11.

Banana streak virus promoters are highly active in banana and other monocot and dicot plants

2000

Journal Article

PCR Rescue and Analysis of Transgene Sequences Directly from Crude Extracts of Transgenic Embryos and Plants

Higgins, C. M., Hall, R. M., Campbell, P. R. and Dietzgen, R. G. (2000). PCR Rescue and Analysis of Transgene Sequences Directly from Crude Extracts of Transgenic Embryos and Plants. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 18 (3), 285-285. doi: 10.1007/BF02824001

PCR Rescue and Analysis of Transgene Sequences Directly from Crude Extracts of Transgenic Embryos and Plants

2000

Journal Article

Genetic diversity among banana streak virus isolates from Australia (vol 90, pg 921, 2000)

Geering, ADW, McMichael, LA, Dietzgen, RG and Thomas, JE (2000). Genetic diversity among banana streak virus isolates from Australia (vol 90, pg 921, 2000). PHYTOPATHOLOGY, 90 (11), 1295-1295.

Genetic diversity among banana streak virus isolates from Australia (vol 90, pg 921, 2000)

2000

Journal Article

Development of a multiplex immunocapture PCR with colourimetric detection for viruses of banana

Sharman, M, Thomas, JE and Dietzgen, RG (2000). Development of a multiplex immunocapture PCR with colourimetric detection for viruses of banana. Journal of Virological Methods, 89 (1-2), 75-88. doi: 10.1016/S0166-0934(00)00204-4

Development of a multiplex immunocapture PCR with colourimetric detection for viruses of banana

2000

Journal Article

Genetic diversity among Banana streak virus isolates from Australia

Geering, A. D. W., McMichael, L. A., Dietzgen, R. G. and Thomas, J. E. (2000). Genetic diversity among Banana streak virus isolates from Australia. Phytopathology, 90 (8), 921-927. doi: 10.1094/PHYTO.2000.90.8.921

Genetic diversity among Banana streak virus isolates from Australia

2000

Journal Article

Real-time RT-PCR fluorescent detection of tomato spotted wilt virus

Roberts, C. A., Dietzgen, R. G, Heelan, L. A. and Maclean, D. J. (2000). Real-time RT-PCR fluorescent detection of tomato spotted wilt virus. Journal of Virological Methods, 88 (1), 1-8. doi: 10.1016/S0166-0934(00)00156-7

Real-time RT-PCR fluorescent detection of tomato spotted wilt virus

2000

Journal Article

PCR rescue and analysis of transgene sequences directly from crude extracts of transgenic embryos and plants

Higgins, CM, Hall, RM, Campbell, PR and Dietzgen, RG (2000). PCR rescue and analysis of transgene sequences directly from crude extracts of transgenic embryos and plants. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 18 (3), 285-285. doi: 10.1007/BF02824001

PCR rescue and analysis of transgene sequences directly from crude extracts of transgenic embryos and plants

Current funding

  • 2021 - 2026
    RNA-based Biopesticides for Sustainable Crop Protection
    Australia-India Strategic Research Fund
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2025
    Improving on-farm surveillance strategies for tospoviruses and thrips to enhance the bio-security of the nursery industry
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Ornamental and Asian vegetables as entry pathways for viruses
    Australian Plant Biosecurity Science Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Molecular characterization and evolution of newly detected Australian and Brazilian dichorhaviruses and identification of their Brevipalpus mite vectors
    UQ-FAPESP Strategic Research Fund SPRINT
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Potential exotic virus threats to Lucerne seed production in Australia
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2020
    Transforming subtropical/tropical tree crop productivity
    Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2012
    UQ Category 1 Travel Award - Chi-Wei Tsai
    UQ Travel Awards for International Collaborative Research (Category 1)
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Cellular and molecular interactions of rhabdoviruses with their plant hosts and insect vectors
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Establishment of a robotic liquid handling platofrm for the use of 384 and 1536 well plates
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Queensland International Fellowship: Visualising novel molecular targets for plant disease control
    Queensland International Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    RNA silencing based Phytophthora root rot resistant avocado rootstocks for improved production of GM free fruit (HAL project led by DAFF)
    Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Nutritional properties of mango fruits: linking plant genomics to cellular bioactivities
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Identification of nutritional bioactives in tropical fruit
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Ralf Dietzgen is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving surveillance strategies for orthotospoviruses and thrips

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Andrew Geering

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving surveillance strategies for tospoviruses and thrips to enhance the biosecurity of the nursery industry

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Andrew Geering

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving surveillance strategies for orthotospoviruses and thrips

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Andrew Geering

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving surveillance strategies for orthotospoviruses and thrips

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Andrew Geering

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Ralf Dietzgen directly for media enquiries about:

  • Mango
  • Molecular plant virology
  • Papaya
  • Plant genomics
  • Plant pathology - diagnostics
  • Plants
  • Protein expression
  • Virus-plant-insect interactions

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